Setback For Jailed Pak Ex-PM Imran Khan as Poll Body Rejects His Nomination Papers From 2 Seats

Islamabad: In a major setback for former Prime Minister Imran Khan, Pakistan’s top electoral body has rejected his nomination papers for two National Assembly seats in Punjab province ahead of the February 8 General Election.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) returned officers in Lahore stated that Imran Khan’s nomination papers for Lahore (NA 122) and Mianwali (NA-89) have been rejected. This decision is attributed to Khan’s conviction in the Toshakhana case, where he was found guilty of corrupt practices. Despite the suspension of Khan’s sentence by the Islamabad High Court, his disqualification remains in effect, according to the Returning Officers.

Objections were also raised against Khan’s nomination papers on the grounds that the proposer and seconder did not belong to the respective constituencies. The objections, raised by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Mian Naseer, highlighted Khan’s five-year disqualification in the Toshakhana case.

Imran Khan, 71, and his senior party colleague, former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, have been facing multiple cases and arrests since the May 9 riots. Both leaders are currently incarcerated at Adiala jail in Rawalpindi.

In addition to Imran Khan, the ECP also rejected Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s nomination papers for Multan’s two seats (NA-150 and PP-218), as well as Tharparkar’s seat (NA-214). Former federal minister and PTI leader Hammad Azhar’s nomination papers were also rejected for his seat (PP-172).